"Oh, Lawrence!" expostulated Phoebe. "How can you talk like that. He
doesn't mean what he says, Carrissima."

"Indeed I do," he answered. "I am a man of the world."

"Still," said Carrissima, "you needn't be a man of the flesh and the
devil!"

"Anyhow," returned Lawrence, "we shall see what happens when Mark comes
back."

"One thing is certain," said Carrissima, "nothing on earth would induce
me to live at home if father were to marry Bridget."

"As if you could live anywhere else. Where could you go?"

"I shouldn't stay there!" said Carrissima.

"The idea of a girl of your age setting up on her own is ridiculous,"
was the reply. "As bad as the other woman! You have made your bed and
you will have to lie on it."

"Ah, well!" said Carrissima, "it won't be at Number 13, Grandison
Square."




CHAPTER VIII